This fascinating book, written by noted astronomer and anthropologist, Anthony Aveni, explores the complex interaction of science and culture that creates the many definitions of time. "A fascinating book about what makes time tick".--ALA Booklist. Illustrated. Originally published by Basic Books.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A linear sense of time may be well suited to our hectic, clock-watching society, but the timekeeping systems of ancient or "primitive" peoples are no less valid, suggests Aveni. Writing as both an astronomer and an anthropologist, he finds parallels between Einstein's concept of space-time and an Aztec "world diagram" which charts a 52-year calendar-round pegged to the passage of the constellation Pleiades overhead. For the semi-nomadic Nuer tribe of Sudan, "eco-time" connects people to their environment. In this wide-ranging, intriguing journey across centuries, Aveni traces the modern calendar's roots back to Greek pastoral poetry and prehistoric African bone markings, then compares Western, Chinese, Maya, Inca and tribal time systems. He also fathoms our division of time into days, weeks, months, seasons and years for clues to our psychology and worldview. He notes that scientists who believe that previous universes existed before the Big Bang echo the Maya and Aztec view of time as cyclical. Illustrations.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Aveni is the author or editor of a number of books and articles about time measurement in America; in this work, his coverage is worldwide and extends from 20,000 B.C. to the present. Following a relatively brief discussion of biorhythms and of some philosophical views on the nature of time, Aveni outlines the development of the Western calendar from ancient times to today's world. Both technical details and intellectual/religious attitudes toward time are discussed. The latter half of the volume is devoted to time-keeping systems of the ancient Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, and Chinese, including some comparisons between these varied cultures and the views of modern Western civilization. This is not fully satisfactory as a study of the subject of time, but the discussion of meso-American calendars is quite interesting. Recommended for college and public libraries.
- Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating,
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This review is from: Empires of Time: Calendars, Clocks, and Cultures (Kodansha globe series) (Paperback)
Aveni's book is a fascinating portrait of the rhythms and roles of time keeping in a variety of cultures including the Aztec, Inca, Maya, and ancient Chinese. A fascinating exploration of a topic we all too often don't bother to consdier.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive Well-Informed and Entertaining,
By T. A. Olsen "Ayasea" (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Empires of Time: Calendars, Clocks, and Cultures (Paperback)
This book provides comprehensive and in-depth knowledge about the History of and present day time keeping. It is very knowledgable while being a breeze to read. We are well pleased
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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ceque system, structural time, first crescent, timekeeping systems, gibbous phase, written calendar, world calendar, divine years, time reckoning, synodic month, cyclic time, time sensing, seasonal year Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Dresden Codex, New World, Templo Mayor, Popul Vuh, New York, Middle Ages, Mexico City, Old Testament, University of Texas Press, Enuma Elish, House of the Governor, Maltese Cross, Old World, Pope Gregory, Tablet of the Cross, United States, Cerro Picchu, Chan Bahlum, New Haven, South America, Great Year, Middle East, Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico, Codices Selecti, Easter Sunday New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
ceque system, structural time, first crescent, timekeeping systems, gibbous phase, written calendar, world calendar, divine years, time reckoning, synodic month, cyclic time, time sensing, seasonal year Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Dresden Codex, New World, Templo Mayor, Popul Vuh, New York, Middle Ages, Mexico City, Old Testament, University of Texas Press, Enuma Elish, House of the Governor, Maltese Cross, Old World, Pope Gregory, Tablet of the Cross, United States, Cerro Picchu, Chan Bahlum, New Haven, South America, Great Year, Middle East, Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico, Codices Selecti, Easter Sunday New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 81
books:
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68
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- Works and Days (Oxford University Press academic monograph reprints) by Hesiod on 10 pages
- Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico (Texas Pan American Series) by Anthony F. Aveni on 6 pages
- The First Three Minutes: A Modern View Of The Origin Of The Universe by Steven Weinberg on 4 pages
- The Babylonian Genesis: The Story of Creation by Alexander Heidel in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Voices of Time by Julius Thomas Fraser on page 89, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 81 books this book cites
- Climbing the Pyramid: Rediscovering Maya Mysteries from Chichen Itza's Great Pyramid by Victoria Thomas on page 45, page 160, and Back Matter
- Investigating Culture: An Experiential Introduction to Anthropology by Carol Delaney on page 88, and page 108
- About Time: Einstein's Unfinished Revolution by Paul Davies on page 72, and Back Matter
- Conversing with the Planets: How Science and Myth Invented the Cosmos (Kodansha Globe) by Anthony Aveni in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Mastered by the Clock: Time, Slavery, and Freedom in the American South (Fred W. Morrison Series in Southern Studies) by Mark M. Smith in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 68 books citing this book
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